CityUHK named the “Most International University in the World” for the third consecutive year; attracting global talent to “Study in Hong Kong”
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has been ranked the “Most International University in the World” by Times Higher Education (THE) for 2026, marking the third consecutive year it has achieved the top spot. This accolade highlights the University’s excellence in fostering an internationalised teaching and research environment. It also underscores CityUHK’s active commitment to supporting the HKSAR Government’s “Study in Hong Kong” initiative, further demonstrating Hong Kong’s appeal and influence as a global hub for higher education.
THE evaluated 2,191 universities based on the World University Rankings 2026 data, with 217 institutions from 42 countries and regions meeting the criteria. CityUHK once again topped the list by excelling across multiple metrics, including the “proportion of international students”, “proportion of international staff”, “international co-authorship”, and “international reputation”.
CityUHK boasts a diverse student body and academic community, with students from approximately 100 countries and faculty hailing from over 40 nations and regions. The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine programme, for example, attracts an exceptionally wide range of international students from Germany, Italy, South Africa, Jordan, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Chinese Mainland.
Assel Sarzhanova from Kazakhstan was drawn to Hong Kong’s vibrant pace of life and its status as a global business hub. Since last year, she has been studying in one of CityUHK’s Flagship Programmes, the BBA Global Business. “At CityUHK, I have met friends from different countries and gained deeper insights into diverse cultures and national backgrounds,” she said. “This global perspective allows us to integrate ideas from around the world, which is immensely rewarding.” She believes Hong Kong offers abundant opportunities in her professional field and hopes to stay after graduation to work in a multinational enterprise, serving as a bridge between Central Asia and Asia.
South African student Daniel Bruwer, enrolled in the same programme, was also attracted by CityUHK’s diverse and international atmosphere. He shares that his learning experience at the University has been invaluable: “CityUHK places great emphasis on cultivating a forward-thinking, global perspective. This has not only broadened my horizons but has also shown me first-hand that this is a highly internationalised institution. It is a rare privilege to be exposed to such diverse viewpoints from all over the world.” He added that the University provides ample resources that benefit his studies, and he is actively planning to explore professional opportunities in Hong Kong after graduation.
Ivelina Karaatanasova from Bulgaria, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media, noted that the University’s diverse cultural backgrounds have offered her rich opportunities for exploration. “Opportunities are everywhere here, and I feel that anything is possible,” she said. “As long as you know how to seize them, you can achieve extraordinary success in Hong Kong.” She expressed a particular fondness for the city and plans to develop her career here after graduation.
In addition to nurturing globally-minded talent, CityUHK actively invites international scholars to join its teaching and research teams through initiatives such as the Distinguished Visiting Professors Scheme, the Presidential Assistant Professors Scheme, and the Global Research Assistant Professors Scheme.
Professor Siju Animashaun from the School of Law, who is originally from Nigeria, joined CityUHK through the Global Research Assistant Professors Scheme. He remarked: “Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre offers a conduit between these varied systems that is invaluable to my career. The teaching atmosphere at CityUHK is vibrant and inclusive; the communal spirit among staff is matched by the intelligence and curiosity of the students.” He expressed his privilege in contributing to a community where diverse perspectives actively drive real-world solutions.
Mr Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer and COO at THE, extended his congratulations to the University. He noted: “World-class universities are inherently international—they attract talent from across the world, exchange ideas, and share knowledge across international borders, and they seek to address the world’s most pressing shared challenges.” He added that it is a significant achievement for CityUHK to be named THE’s “Most International University in the World” in 2026, leading a very illustrious group of institutions.
As a pioneer in advancing the internationalisation of higher education, CityUHK is actively supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for higher education by promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. Through an international collaborative network
comprising over 400 institutions globally, CityUHK students enjoy extensive opportunities for overseas exchange.
The University offers joint bachelor’s degree programmes in partnership with Columbia University (USA) and Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec (France). Furthermore, CityUHK has signed agreements with several colleges at the University of Cambridge and, in the 2025/26 academic year, became the first international partner institution for the “Future Global Leaders Programme” at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. In recent years, the University has expanded its reach to include “Belt and Road” countries such as Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Kuwait, and Azerbaijan, further enriching the depth and diversity of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
As a young, vibrant, and innovative university, CityUHK has seen its global reputation soar. The University continues to excel in various world rankings, including climbing to a record 73rd in the THE World University Rankings 2026. Additionally, CityUHK topped the list in Hong Kong in the THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026, ranking 11th globally and 3rd in Asia.
CityUHK will continue to lead the way in higher education innovation and internationalisation, dedicated to nurturing more future leaders with a global outlook and consistently infusing international influence into the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
Media enquiries:
Sunny Liu, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 9322)